NSAID/PPI combination therapy launched for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis

on the 4 January 2010

Axorid is a combination of ketoprofen and omeprazole that is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis in patients at risk of NSAID-related GI damage.

Axorid includes a sustained release form of ketoprofen and a gastroresistant form of omeprazole, both suitable for once daily administration.

The pharmacokinetic properties of ketoprofen and omeprazole when given in combination are comparable to when the two are given individually.¹

It is recommended that when offering treatment with an NSAID to patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, a proton pump inhibitor should be co-prescribed.^2,3 The fixed-dose combination capsule reduces the tablet burden of the patient and may aid adherence.

The most common adverse effects are similar to the individual components and include, headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset. They were mostly transient in nature.¹

View Axorid drug record

REFERENCES

Axorid Summary of product Characteristics, accessed December 2009.
National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Osteoarthritis: national clinical guideline for care and management in adults. London: Royal College of Physicians, 2008.
National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis: national clinical guideline for management and treatment in adults. London: Royal College of Physicians, February 2009.

Further information: Meda